In recent years, the shores of Lake Balaton have seen a proliferation of large-scale investments, luxury buildings and private real estate. They have often been met with resistance from local residents, and each new project has resulted in a significant reduction in open green space and beaches. Despite opposition from residents, some of whom have even filed lawsuits, several large-scale investments have been started and completed around Lake Balaton in the last decade.
Telex has collected the most important large-scale and controversial projects around the lake that have already been completed or are likely to be completed in the coming years.
North shore of Lake Balaton
In Balatnakaratyia, the Hungarian National Bank Foundation’s conference center will be built in 2022 on the site of a resort formerly used by the Hungarian Railways. A peculiarity of this conference center is that the lake itself has been brought into the site, with permission granted to create a so-called “welfare water area”. Local residents have criticized the project, mainly because the new complex of over 12,000 square meters significantly disturbs the environment and the surrounding infrastructure has not been adapted to the development.
In Balatnakari, the fate of the former waterfront campsites is a topic of debate. One of the campsites was closed permanently, with the terraced houses planned for its place never built. The other was liquidated in 2016 and divided into two, with one half owned by Lorink Meszáros (whose campsite is still in operation) and the other half housing new apartments. The latter project, “The Village Holiday”, was in the news in 2019 after contractors destroyed protected reeds over a 150-metre stretch. Two members of the contractor team received suspended prison sentences and fines.
A similar problem occurred in 2021 in Badaconyols, part of Badaconytmai, when a campsite owner cut down trees, claiming they were diseased, infuriating many people. Residents and villa owners held a public forum to find out what construction was planned for the area, and eventually found out that a four-star hotel, apartments and a campsite were planned to be built on the former campsite. However, the project has not yet been completed.
Balatonfüred is in a unique position when it comes to development: Telex reports that there are so many projects involving government officials that there is always something in the works — the largest of which would be the Baraport real estate complex, which includes luxury apartments and a five-star hotel — yet local residents usually don’t unite to oppose them.
Telex also reports on the NER (National Cooperation System) expropriation of Tihany, a favorite resort of Hungary’s political elite, who own villas and land there. In contrast to Balatonfüred, there has been a great deal of fuss in recent months over a planned investment project that would have effectively developed a naturally forested area, but which was officially counted as a construction site. The construction of apartments planned by real estate developer Kordia was postponed in March following opposition from several civic associations. It is unclear when the project will start, as independent politician Balázs Köter will take over as mayor from October 1st.
View from Tihany, photo: Pixabay
South shore of Lake Balaton
Investors are planning to build 71 three-storey apartment buildings in Balatonmariafurdo. The plans were announced in 2022 and sparked a huge backlash from local civil activists. 12,000 people signed a petition against the project. In the end, the investors found a loophole to get the necessary building permit by increasing the number of serviced apartments in the plans.
The construction of a new electric port in Balatonfoldvár met with similar resistance from some local residents, but eventually received the necessary permits: the site will house a 2.3-hectare marina with a total area of 2.8 hectares and two piers with a capacity of 175 boats, for which Balavo received a state subsidy of 897 million forints (2.28 million euros).
Balatonzemes will also see the construction of a new luxury housing complex on the site of the former campground, with 153 apartments, underground parking, a swimming pool and a private beach. As part of the project, more than 8,600 square meters of Lake Balaton’s lakebed will be deepened by dredging and a 150-square-meter pier will be built.
Baraland, a hotel and residential complex in Santodó, has received an even larger non-repayable investment from the state of over 6 billion forints (15 million euros). As Telex highlights, this venture is also closely linked to the NER.
Photo: Facebook/BalaLand Residence
In Balatonvilagos, a 540-metre-long promenade was rezoned and 13 plots were created on the shores of Lake Balaton. Local residents are opposed to investments in the real estate complex, fearing they will lose the coastline they have at their disposal. The issue has already been taken to court several times.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
Source: Telex
